The Extern Approach
Helping to empower lives and build resilient communities
BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.
Resilience is about the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges; to recover from adversity and not get overwhelmed. Yet every day we work with people who are in vulnerable and marginalised situations, families and communities facing increasingly complex challenges that they are struggling to manage alone and without access to other services.
We are here to give everyone the support they need to manage and to overcome whatever difficulties they may be facing. We are here to help people and communities regain self-trust and selfbelief and to build the resilience that will see them through whatever life may throw at them in the future.
HELPING TO EMPOWER LIVES. Despair is an appalling condition. It feeds off isolation, it induces inertia, it leads to a dark, sorrowful place. And it blights the lives of so many in our society. Yet no matter what an individual’s situation may be, we are here, reaching out a hand that offers practical, life-changing, empowering support. Clasp it, and we will support you to move forward. Leave it, and we’ll still be here, ready when you are.
Chair’s welcome
As I write my introduction to Extern’s Annual Report for 2023-2024, I have been reflecting on the scope of our services and how this makes it possible for us to touch and enhance the lives of thousands of individuals and families across Northern Ireland.
It occurs to me that while our services may be wide-ranging and varied, they all interlink in a very cohesive and integrated way, so as to best serve those who need our support. Above all, I am deeply conscious that none of what we do would be possible without the dedication of our frontline teams and support staff.
Every year we face fresh challenges and as I look back on the year, I am both humbled by the compassionate commitment my colleagues have continually shown, and deeply proud of the profound difference they have made to the wellbeing of people and communities throughout this region. Nowadays our work is so widespread and diverse that it is difficult to single out specific service areas for mention. However, two events sparked my particular interest during the year. The first was a letter we received from Foyle Search & Rescue service in connection with our Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS) in Derry/Londonderry, which said “….we have found this project to be invaluable.”
The CCIS team provides a vital lifeline for people in Derry/Londonderry and surrounding area who find themselves in crisis over weekend periods, when most other support services are not available. The remarkable CCIS team provided 1,188 crisis de-escalations and interventions during out-of-hours periods and weekends. Their commitment and efforts saved many lives and helped to bring hundreds of people back from the brink of despair.
My interest was also piqued when I read an online news story about one of our Community Champions, whose life had been turned around through his engagement with Extern. You can find his story on Page11. Extern manages a network comprising dozens of Community Champions who work across the Greater Belfast/Larne/Carrick areas. Individually and collectively, they whole-heartedly serve and support those in their local communities who may be struggling with issues such as loneliness, bereavement, isolation and so on.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for the resolute efforts shown by our frontline staff, our volunteers and fund raisers, our directors and management team and the Extern Northern Ireland Board of Trustees, all of whose support makes the work of Extern possible. As we publish this Annual Report, we are acutely aware that our work with marginalised people, families and communities across Northern Ireland is as necessary today as it was at our founding, almost 50 years ago.
Ian McAvoy Chair, Extern NI.
Our Vision
We will aim to change lives to support a socially just and inclusive society.
Our Mission
We will create opportunities and provide supports to enable everyone to meaningfully participate in society.
CEO’s welcome
As a organisation, we believe in compassion and helping each other. Compassion is an emotion that promotes meaningful connections and improves health and wellbeing.
I believe that ‘kindness’ is equally important, because kindness is the action that translates our good intentions into positive outcomes. And it is kindness that I see being put into action every day, at every level, by colleagues at Extern. I find it deeply inspiring.
The reporting year 2023-2024 saw Extern continue to deliver vital – and in some cases life-saving - support to those in Northern Ireland who are isolated, marginalised or vulnerable. Unfortunately, this year also saw an ever-deepening complexity of needs from people and communities who engage our services. Currently, these include mental health support, substance misuse, physical health issues, criminal justice backgrounds, learning disabilities and family-related challenges including bereavement and homelessness. In addition, we provide refugee support and Mentoring for Children Looked After. We operate in a very challenging financial and resource environment, but I am confident that Extern has the attitude, character… and kindness… to continue delivering our life-changing support well into the future. And it’s all down to our staff.
It is often said that young people are the lifeblood of any society. Yet sadly, many young people in Northern Ireland face profound challenges around issues of mental health and wellbeing, sexual health, education and employment, poverty and concerns about the future. The staff in the Youth Engagement Service (YES) programmes in Bangor and Belfast are exemplars of how to tackle these issues and add meaning, joy and fun to the lives of young people. YES has been engaging with young people aged 11-25 since 2016 and this year saw an increase in young people with refugee status and asylum-seeking status engaging with our YES teams. It is a testament to the positive attitude and determination of our Belfast and Bangor staff that, despite language and cultural barriers, our teams successfully integrated these young people into both programmes.
I am delighted to report that in 2023-24 we were successful in achieving a ‘Silver’ standard Investor in People (IIP) award. This internationally respected award is an independent endorsement of how we apply best practice towards our people. Extern is facing challenges and change, so it is imperative that we listen to our people, hear their suggestions and concerns and take action wherever possible.
Finally, I want to thank our Board of Trustees as well as our supporters, partners, funders and donors. Together, they share our values and our commitment to working together to achieve better outcomes for our service users across Northern Ireland.
Colin Hayburn CEO, Extern
Our Values
Respect
We value the feelings, opinions and rights of our service users, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
Integrity
All our decisions and interactions will be ethical, open, honest, and transparent.
Compassion
We care about our service users and colleagues and will act with empathy in all engagements.
Accountability
We hold ourselves and each other responsible for our decisions and actions.
Professional
We work inclusively with service users, colleagues, and key stakeholders to deliver high quality supports and evidence-based services.
We reach in, We walk alongside
We are Extern Northern Ireland. Since the mid-1970s, we have been delivering services to tackle pressing social issues and bring help, support and hope to people facing vulnerable situations and those who find themselves marginalised by society.
We believe in giving people as many chances as they need to transform their lives. No matter how far down the road someone may have gone, wherever there is the slightest hint of openmindedness or the merest spark of willingness, we will always go the extra mile to support that person and bring positive change to their lives.
We do not judge or condemn. Nor are we miracle workers. Our commitment lies in enabling those who approach us to overcome their difficulties; to nurture positive change in their lives and build or re-build family ties for a brighter future together.
So who are we? Well, we are a team of everyday people, drawn from parts of society, blessed with a generous dose of compassion and kindness; an innate desire to help our fellows and the gift of seeing beyond what is…to what might be.
A snapshot of what we do
FAMILY AND YOUTH SUPPORT
Not all young people find it easy to fit within the traditional models of education and training. Some of them need an alternative approach to make a successful start in the world. Find out on Page 17 how our Pathways Project has been providing this opportunity for over 25 years.
SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION AND HOMES
Our housing project, Extern Homes manages a portfolio of ten properties across North and West Belfast, providing essential, affordable housing for people moving out of our hostel care and for those drawing on our wide range of support services. See Page 15 for details..
PEER MENTORING
During 2023, we launched an insightful new report highlighting the positive impact that Extern’s mentoring support has on the lives of young people. The summary on Page 7 offers important insights into our mentoring services and the positive impact they have on the young people we support.
JUSTICE SERVICES
On Page 13, you will discover how our Criminal Justice Floating Support programme helps individuals to transition from prison to the community, obtain suitable accommodation and maintain their tenancies, so that they can take up a place in their communities and give back positively.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Our Bangor and Belfast Youth Engagement Service (YES) programmes provide safe and inclusive social spaces where young people can access confidential health and well-being services, share experiences, develop friendships and - most importantly - have fun. Find out more on Page 21.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
Community Champions are members of local communities who volunteer to promote health and wellbeing and improve conditions within their local community. Turn to Page 11 to read how Extern is empowering our Community Champions with the skills they need to fulfil their active day-to-day roles.
MENTAL WELLBEING SUPPORT
The suicide rate in Derry/Londonderry is 38% higher than the rest of the western region of Northern Ireland. The report on Page 9 outlines how Extern’s Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS) responds to individuals who are in distress and potentially vulnerable to self-harm or suicide.
Mentoring for young people that goes Above & Beyond
During 2023, we launched an insightful new report highlighting the positive impact that Extern’s mentoring support has on the lives of young people.
MENTORING SUPPORT SERVICES COMMISSIONERS: UKSPF; DOH (SPPG) and Education Authority
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 269 LOCATIONS: Northern Ireland-wide
HIGHLIGHT:
In 2023-24, the LAC Mentoring / Mentoring Support Programme made a difference in the lives of 105 young people, offering guidance, encouragement, and support to help them thrive.
The report, Above & Beyond , was compiled by Dr Gail Neill and Dr Mark Hammond from the Centre for Youth Research and Dialogue at Ulster University. It is an invaluable resource for our mentoring service; offering important insights into the work we do and the positive impact this has on the young people we support.
Extern and mentoring
Mentoring is an essential skill that Extern’s youth workers draw on as part of their day-to-day work with young people, particularly across our two mentoring-focused projects:
• Moving Forward, Moving On – designed for young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), this programme supports them in finding opportunities and gaining qualifications.
• Mentoring (Children Looked After) Project –his community-based programme supports young people aged between 10-17 years who are ‘looked after’ within the care system, helping them to develop skills, improve relationships and maximise their potential.
Research: aims and goals
The primary aim of the research was to develop a theoretical understanding of youth mentoring which would further support and improve our delivery of these vital services to young people living within the care system and/or seeking support with training and employment. Dozens of staff and young people took part across a number of focus group sessions.
A pressing need
Government statistics show that there were around 18,000 young people classed as NEET in Northern Ireland from April to June 2023. Another 3,624 children and young people were in care. These alarming statistics show just how crucial mentoring services are at this time, offering an important level of support to vulnerable young people.
A unique approach
The research makes clear that Extern’s ‘holistic’ approach to mentoring enables us to inhabit a challenging middle ground between attending to the formal goals of our programmes, while also valuing and investing in the informal and relational aspects of mentoring.
What we learned
The research revealed a number of key insights, including:
• Extern has an approach to mentoring which was seen to go ‘above and beyond’ the boundaries of typical mentoring models and remits of their funders.
• This ‘above and beyond’ approach played a crucial part in supporting young people more effectively as it communicated a genuine sense of care and value.
• Extern’s holistic approach to attending to the wider needs of each young person (e.g. food, safety, accommodation etc.) was just as essential in supporting young people as was meeting the official goals of the mentoring programme.
A word of thanks
We would like to thank Dr Gail Neill and Dr Mark Hammond for their excellent work on this report. We appreciate their sensitive and professional approach to working with our young people and staff in gathering the information and presenting it in such an articulate and insightful way.
“We have to deal with issues such as drug addiction, poor mental health and housing problems before we can start progressing the young people into training, education or employment.”
Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS)
Extern’s Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS) in Derry/Londonderry is a community-led initiative which responds to individuals who are in distress and potentially vulnerable to self-harm or suicide.
MENTAL WELLBEING SERVICES
COMMISSIONERS: Public Health Agency; Department of Communities; Community Foundation NI; The Executive Office/ Co-operation Ireland
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 2775
LOCATIONS: Belfast; Derry/Londonderry; Carrickfergus/Larne
HIGHLIGHT:
The Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS) continues to be a vital lifeline for individuals facing distress, offering intervention, guidance, and a safe space during difficult times with the number of individuals supported rising from 129 to 142.
Rates of suicide in Northern Ireland have increased substantially over the past 20 years, particularly among men.
Derry/Londonderry has a suicide rate that is 38% higher than the rest of the western region of Northern Ireland.
For those in crisis and distress CCIS is centrally located within Extern’s premises on Spencer Road and is staffed by qualified professionals. The service is available to anyone of any age experiencing social, emotional or a situational crisis In 2023-2024, CCIS provided 1,188 crisis de-escalations and interventions during out-ofhours periods and weekends.
A real need for this service
Individuals tend to be at their most vulnerable at weekends, when most support services are closed. Our CCIS team meets this gap in weekend support provision and provides a vital lifeline for people in the local community and surrounding areas who find themselves in crisis.
Saving lives
Our support is ongoing. The CCIS team provide weekly check-ins with service users to ensure they are supported and, if requested, can accompany them to appointments as appropriate. Measures such as these help to reduce the possibility of other suicidal crises occurring. In short, our interventions in the past few years have made a huge impact on the suicide rate and have saved lives.
Working with other Agencies
CCIS works closely alongside local authorities and maintains vital communications with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Foyle Search & Rescue and Police to ensure the safety of high risk service users. Moreover, by alleviating pressure on these vital services, we enable them to focus on other key areas of their operations, saving them both time and money in call-out fees.
CCIS in action
The following case study exemplifies CCIS’s help in action and the life-changing outcomes that our teams can help to bring about.
Context
Joan (40s) has had numerous interventions with police and ambulance. She has contacted CCIS on many occasions to say she is going to end her life and while actively self-harming. She feels continually lonely, with nothing to live for.
Specific needs
Joan is high risk so the CCIS team must ask a number of questions in order to plan the next course of action. These include establishing if she has self-harmed, has any blades/bleeding and if she is contemplating suicide. The team will also establish what medication she is taking and if she has consumed alcohol or drugs. Our top priority is to keep her safe and validated until the situation de-escalates.
Work undertaken & approach
Joan had been profoundly affected by her father’s passing and possibly may not have dealt with this grief. She lives alone and felt that she has no one to turn too. A safety plan was developed for her to follow when she feels her mood changing at home and she has been encouraged to discuss small achievable goals.
Self-referral & outcome
Joan’s confidence has grown and she is now showing very positive engagement with the CCIS team. When she is feeling suicidal, she is able to lift the telephone and talk to us when feeling suicidal, she is able to lift the telephone and talk with us when she is beginning to feel that she cannot cope.
“I’d never knew this place existed until I was brought here…..I would come back definitely, this would be the first place I would go to.”
Crystal, CCIS service user
Building strong, meaningful connections with disadvantaged communities
Our Community Champion programme has grown and developed over the past three and a half years. The scheme gained an initial kick-start during the covid-19 pandemic, when funding secured via the Executive Office enabled Extern to recruit and train Community Champions to work with and enhance the wellbeing of their communities.
MENTAL WELLBEING SERVICES
COMMISSIONERS: Public Health Agency; Department of Communities; Community Foundation NI; The Executive Office/ Co-operation Ireland
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 2775
LOCATIONS: Belfast; Derry/Londonderry; Carrickfergus/Larne
HIGHLIGHT:
Through compassionate care, tailored interventions, and practical support, Extern's Reach Out service supported 1,279 individuals over the past year.
The programme has since gained real traction, with over 30 Community Champions engaging with communities across Greater Belfast and Larne/Carrickfergus in 2023-24. Community Champions are members of local communities who volunteer to promote health and wellbeing and improve conditions within their local community. Champions draw on their own life experience, such as mental health issues, bereavement, substance use, and use their social networks to dissolve barriers to engagement and build strong connections between Extern’s services and disadvantaged communities.
Building a legacy
Our Community Champions are people who are deeply embedded within their community and have real-life experience of the issues they are working to address. Most have grown up locally and are trusted by those in their neighbourhood. Executive funding has enabled us to build a lasting legacy so that our Champions will be equipped to deal with anything that may emerge within their communities in the years ahead. When issues arise, they know how to signpost on to appropriate support; they are able to set boundaries and offer a listening ear or peer support; they have been trained in SafeTALK (for suicide alertness) and can keep themselves physically and emotionally safe.
Champions in action
The three Community Champion-led groups in the Larne/Carrick areas provide much-needed help and support to over 60 people and deliver a wide range of services, such as cold water swimming and men’s groups. Without our Community Champions, Extern could not deliver such a range of services to these communities and individuals. Moreover, because our Champions are trusted by their friends and neighbours, people who might not otherwise have approached us become more willing to ask for help. Our Community Champions also play vital roles in our Family Support and Suicide Prevention Response Project in the Greater Shankill area.
Giving their time, energy and skills
Our Champions give generously of their time, both towards supporting their various groups and for their own personal upskilling. For example, a Community Champion who wishes to support cold water swimming will undergo water safety and first aid training from Extern, as well as Assist training, SafeTALK and possibly Safeguarding training to help prevent the abuse, neglect and harm of children and vulnerable adults.
Supporting our Champions
As an organisation, we take our responsibilities towards our Community Champions very seriously. This means not only empowering them with the skills they need to fulfil their active day-to-day roles, but also ensuring that they are able to set clear boundaries and do not go over and above, even though they may want to do so in some situations.
Looking ahead
Our Community Champions play a vital role in breaking down the barriers of isolation and with new, energetic Champions arising from within the support groups already established, we very much hope that this will continue.
One Champion’s story
A traumatic childhood event caused Martin to turn to drugs and alcohol, which led to years of addiction and severe isolation. Things became so unbearable that he attempted to take his own life and had constant suicidal thoughts afterwards.
Family relationships were destroyed and Martin ended up being hospitalised. He was eventually introduced to Extern and joined a post-recovery hub. From there, he was signposted to many different activities with Extern.
Martin is now involved with acupuncture, yoga, an art programme through The MAC in Belfast and a Friday walking group. He also volunteers at St James Community Farm every Monday morning.
“The most important thing for me, with Extern, is the re-connection. I am so thankful to Extern for helping me to get back out into the community. I have been nominated as a Community Champion which brings a sense of purpose and fulfilment. I am so thankful for everything that Extern has done for me, and how they have helped me make new friends for life. Extern has changed my life, massively. I wasn't looking after myself this time last year. I am a different person.”
Reintegrating back into the community
Our Criminal Justice Floating Support programme is funded by NIHE and Supporting People. Its purpose is to help individuals transition from prison to the community, obtain suitable accommodation and maintain their tenancies, so that they can integrate into community life and give back positively.
JUSTICE SERVICES
COMMISSIONERS: DoJ; NIPS; Northern Ireland Housing Executive/Supporting People
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 299
LOCATIONS: Belfast; Cookstown; Northern Trust area
HIGHLIGHT:
Our Criminal Justice Floating Support programme has provided vital assistance to 90 individuals in the past year, helping them navigate challenges and build positive futures.
Giving the right support
People often leave prison with underlying support needs and for some individuals, the period of transition from custody to community can be extremely challenging, particularly if they lack the right support to find somewhere safe to live. With limited funds, unsafe, unsuitable or insecure accommodation and no positive support networks, there is an increased risk that some prison leavers may reoffend.
Extern’s Criminal Justice Floating Support programme prioritises housing support for ex-offenders, irrespective of their offending history. The programme also delivers nonjudgemental support to people who have had contact with
the Criminal Justice system, as well as those who are at high risk of doing so. In addition, our service supports individuals to maintain positive mental health, counter social isolation and, most importantly, avoid further offending.
Good Lives Matter
Extern’s interventions are based on the Good Lives Model of Offender Rehabilitation (GLM) which holds human rights at its ethical core. This means we work on the understanding that while offenders have obligations to respect other peoples' entitlements to well-being and freedom, they are also entitled to the same considerations. Each person is allocated a key worker and together they agree a support plan and goals for the intervention. Floating Support services can be delivered for between six months and two years, with an option to reconnect, should a housing crisis occur.
Prioritising and meeting needs
The Floating Support team works with 135 service users at any one point in time and prioritises three critical areas: housing stability, mental well-being and social connections. By addressing these key aspects we contribute significantly to reducing repeat offending behaviours and fostering successful reintegration into the community.
Triage system
We introduced a new ‘triage’ system over 2023-24 to accommodate the increased demands for our support services and reduce waiting times. It works by identifying each person’s specific requirements and pointing them towards the most appropriate help. This triage approach has worked remarkably well. It has enabled our team to run two lists: an urgent waiting list for someone, who, say, desperately needs a key worker; and a general waiting list, for example someone who needs assistance with their benefits.
Frontline Counselling
Many of the people we help are excluded from mainstream services and struggle to reintegrate into society. Our Frontline Counselling services, funded by St. Martin-in-the-Fields Charity as part of its 'Frontline Fund’, have played a vital part in helping many to gain self-esteem, develop social skills and build emotional resilience. Once acquired, these qualities make it easier for individuals to reintegrate into society and become valued members of their communities.
We secured our third year of the funding commitment from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, from January 2024 to December 2024. We are deeply grateful to them for their generous support and thank them for having made our counselling work possible for the past three years.
Year one 83 referrals with 62 clients receiving 4+sessionscounselling each
Year two
133 referrals with 60 clients receiving 4+ sessions each
Year three (half way stage) has seen 83
referrals with 42 clients receiving 4+ sessions each
It’s good to talk…
Our Volunteer Telephone Befriender service was first developed during the covid-19 pandemic to help counter isolation and loneliness. It has since taken on a more formal structure, with volunteers undergoing rigorous induction training and monthly feedback sessions with their supervisor. Our Telephone Befrienders provide valuable support to the staff team. Once high level intervention is no longer required, Telephone Befrienders give valuable social contact to individuals who may be isolated and encourage them to achieve their goals.
Other achievements this year
We have developed a referral pathway with Extern's Multi-Disciplinary Homeless Support Team. This enables us to provide assistance, support and advocacy to adults and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have complex additional needs. This initiative has enhanced joint working across Extern projects. Looking ahead, we will continue to offer a high-quality service, expand our knowledge base, advocate for the most disadvantaged in our society and work diligently to inform government policies by highlighting need.
“I have experienced severe trauma from my childhood having been diagnosed with PTSD, and several severe mental health diagnosis. My counsellor was able to navigate all my problems and save my life on occasions with my diagnosis of suicide ideation. I am presently under the supervision of a consultant psychiatrist, and they also have a mental health team, but my counsellor provided something different that the NHS could not provide, and I feel indebted to the counselling and the way it was delivered.”
We believe that everyone deserves a home
Our housing project, Extern Homes, was set up as a response to five individuals who sadly lost their lives while sleeping on the streets of Belfast.
SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION AND HOMES
COMMISSIONERS: Northern Ireland Housing Executive; BHSCT; Northern Ireland Housing Executive/Supporting People
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 1375
LOCATIONS: Belfast; Newcastle; Mid-Ulster; Newtownards; Enniskillen; North Down
HIGHLIGHT:
Over the past year, 21 individuals have been supported through Extern Homes, providing them with safe, stable accommodation and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Extern Homes has a portfolio of ten properties across North and West Belfast providing essential, affordable housing for people moving out of our hostel care and for those drawing on our wide range of support services.
Taking a step up
Extern’s housing-led model gives our tenants a vital ‘step up’ into their communities. This means they are able to build a sound tenancy history as they adjust to living more independently, but can also call on our support as they meet their obligations as responsible members of their communities.
Delivering specialised and sustained support to refugees
One of our key achievements in 2023 was to provide our first shared tenancy arrangement with service users from our Refugee Floating Support service. The safety of these tenants is paramount and we shall continue to support them as they establish themselves in the communities in which they now live.
Comfortable, affordable, energy-efficient housing
Extern Homes takes pride in ensuring that all of our properties are of a sound standard and that we are fully aligned with all private rented regulations. This year, with the help of grant funding from ESB, we were able to keep all of our properties ahead of the game by improving their overall energy efficiency to ‘C’ standard. This means our tenants can enjoy warmer homes and reduced energy costs.
Here’s what our tenants say….
Our annual Tenant Survey provides a fair and impartial overview of what our tenants think of our service. This year’s survey, conducted in February 2024, revealed excellent levels of tenant satisfaction. We are pleased to report that 100% of respondents said that they were very satisfied or satisfied with the quality and size of their property, maintenance being carried out on time, the community in which they live, their rent level and that Extern Homes listen to and respond to their needs.
“I am so happy with the service. I just wish if Extern can have much more houses for this project. I can’t ask for more, the support, listening, care and quick maintenance are all perfect.”
“Not only do you provide a home for those in need, the advice and genuine interest/care is invaluable. Taking time to visit and talk about practicalities of life for those who struggle and sometimes just an ear to listen is priceless.”
Here’s how it works
Client B was living on the streets of Belfast in a tent when they became engaged with our Street Outreach and Homeless Support Team. Unable to afford the private rented sector and other housing options not being available to them, they moved into an Extern Homes tenancy. This recent comment summarises their experience:
“I would like to thank your organisation for helping us find a home after being on the streets and living in a tent. Declan helped me not only by getting us a lovely home with lovely neighbours, he visits to see how we are doing and gives support/advice and guidance.”
Client B has settled in their tenancy, is working full time and is currently making plans to move on from their Extern home into more permanent accommodation.
The Homelessness Prevention Forum
Over the past eight years, Extern has worked in partnership with NIACRO, a voluntary organisation working to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. Together we chair the Homelessness Prevention Forum which provides a collective voice for housing related support services. A website www.homelessnesspreventionforum.com has been developed to help all stakeholders understand the signs and prevent homelessness.
We were delighted this year to have the Social Care Council (SCC) agree to create its first ‘Homelessness’ page within its e-learning library. Developed by the Homelessness Prevention Forum, the Homelessness training tool can be accessed by all 40,000+ members of the SCC.
Laying a Pathway to success for 25 years
Not everyone finds it easy to fit within the traditional models of education and training. Some of us need an alternative approach to make a successful start in the world. For 25 years, Extern’s groundbreaking Pathways Project has been providing just that.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILTY SERVICES
COMMISSIONERS: National Lottery Community Fund; Education Authority; UK Shared Prosperity Fund
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 192
LOCATIONS: Belfast
HIGHLIGHT:
This year, Extern’s Pathways Programme has provided vital support to 28 young people, helping them take positive steps towards education, training, and employment.
Over 4,000 qualifications…and counting Pathways is a Belfast-based alternative Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) programme for young people, aged 14-16, who may be facing difficulties with a conventional school or classroom setting, as well as those at risk of offending, or entering into care or custody. Since its inauguration in 1998, this inspirational project has offered a lifeline to over 750 young people trying to choose their path in life, whether that be further education, training or employment.
A life-changing project
Pathways offers English, Maths and ICT up to GCSE level, along with Prince's Trust education and training. The programme also emphasises personal and social skills through a well-being scheme. Its over-arching purpose is to unlock the potential in every one of our young people and energise their hopes and dreams for their futures.
Our 25-year Celebration
To mark 25 years of the project’s success, a special celebration event was held at Girdwood Hub in North Belfast. The all-day event was attended by hundreds of people, including former pupils of Pathways, as well as their families and friends. Project manager Ceri O’Reilly, who has worked with Pathways for over 20 years, said: “So many of our young graduates have gone on to enjoy success in their lives thanks to the support they have been offered through the programme and the hard work and dedication of our wonderful staff team.”
Woodn’t it be nice…
Thanks to a very generous donation, five of our Pathways students were enrolled on a Level 2 occupational studies course in woodwork skills from September 2023 until graduation in June 2024. This course is the equivalent of a GCSE pass grade A-C.
As well as vital work experience and an industryrecognised qualification, this woodwork programme has given our young people the opportunity to build a portfolio of work which will support their career opportunities as they move forward, including the potential to fast track onto an apprenticeship scheme.
And there’s more…
We are an organisation which goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our young people and this is reflected in our ‘Continuum of Care’. This approach allows young people to move seamlessly from one stage of their education to the next, in line with their changing educational needs and aspirations. Through this, we support young people across a range of ages and stages in their lives, from primary school years through to young adulthood.
Pathways in action
“I was expelled from my mainstream school at 14 because of my reaction to bullies. I spent over 18 months out of education and rarely left my house. I started Pathways in September 2023 and although it took some time to get used to the longer days and the amount of classes, I completed all the qualifications on offer and maintained a yearly attendance level of 99%. I was worried about what would happen to me next so my mum approached staff who made an OAR (Over Age Retention) request to the Education Authority on my behalf. Good News …. I got it ��
I am now a year 13 (sixth year) in Pathways, I’m taking on more responsibility in a leadership role with my peers. My mental health has improved, my confidence is at an all-time high and my family are delighted that I get to stay somewhere that I love. Pathways’ staff are amazing, nothing is too much trouble, and they really understand where you are coming from without being judgemental. Now all I need is a Year 14!!”
Johnny Year 13 Prefect @ the Pathways Project Belfast
“Pathways is about allowing the individual to grow, to fall in love with education again, to be able to feel successful in their outcomes, and for their families to feel they have an opportunity to see their child shine.”
Caroline Rutherford, Manager, Extern
Acknowledging Extern’s Support Services
Our support engine
Extern’s frontline teams make an incredible impact on the lives of people who come to us for support. But they don’t do it alone.
Working away behind the scenes are colleagues with specialist skills in IT, Human Resources, Data Protection, Learning & Development/Employee Wellbeing and Finance. And let’s not forget the staff in Audit & Risk, Safeguarding, Communications, Contract Management and Administration.
Why our Support Services matter
A Force Multiplier is a factor that dramatically increases the effectiveness of a group. Our support service colleagues act as Force Multipliers, which means that by performing their functions effectively and providing the right frontline support, they enhance our overall ability to deliver Extern’s services to those who need them. We face formidable challenges from increasing demand for our services and ever-tightening budgets. Our support services are critical to helping Extern address these difficulties, now and into the future.
Investing in our People
One of the corporate highlights of our 2023-2024 reporting year was the achievement of a Silver Standard Investor in People (IIP) award. We had previously held a Bronze award, so our elevation to a
IIP is not a soft option. It demands a considerable amount of time and the willingness to take a rigorous and honest look at ourselves. An IIP accreditation might give us a slight edge in competitive tenders, but our primary goal in undergoing the IIP process is to gain collective insights into how well everyone in our organisation thinks we are doing and to identify areas where we need to improve.
Into action
Extern’s promotion from Bronze to Silver standard IIP accreditation is a resounding accolade for what we have accomplished to date. Our organisation has always endeavoured to be at the forefront of the charity sector when it comes to looking after our people and we must continue to do so. The 2023-2024 IIP work was invaluable and while it proffered many learnings, there are four priority areas that we will continue to develop:
• Recognising and rewarding people: Extern is nothing without its people and we will continue to review and update pay scales and pay structure subject to affordability.
• Developing Leadership and Management capability: we will ensure that we have clearly defined career paths for staff wanting to become managers and services staff wanting to progress through services.
• Ensuring communication is cascaded effectively: positive messages about individual and team performances, successes and achievements will be shared across the organisation on a regular basis.
• Having the right people at the right time: we will actively advertise all opportunities and benefits internally and externally and proactively promote the organisation as a fulfilling place to work. We will make our recruitment process more applicant friendly and review our recruitment strategy to ensure we attract high quality candidates as cost effectively as possible.
Diversity inclusion
Extern supports people from many different backgrounds, situations and contexts. We strive to maintain an environment that promotes the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we are committed to embedding these in our practices, policies and organisational culture. We hold a Bronze Diversity charter mark and maintained this accreditation during 20232024, with the aim of progressing to silver status in the near future.
“There is loyalty to services, people go above and beyond.”
Jonathan Carroll, Director of People and Organisational Development
A Menopause friendly employer
A part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Extern supports a menopause friendly work culture where no one need be afraid or embarrassed to talk about this subject and where employees have the confidence to ask for help and support if they need it.
Saying ‘YES’ to our Youth Engagement Service
Our Bangor and Belfast Youth Engagement Service (YES) programmes, run under the Public Health Agency (PHA), have been engaging with young people aged 11-25 since 2016.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
COMMISSIONERS: Belfast Trust; Western Trust; South-Eastern Trust; Northern Trust; Public Health Agency; The Executive Office
SERVICE USERS SUPPORTED: 2539
LOCATIONS:
Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newtownards, Bangor, Enniskillen, Omagh, Hilltown
HIGHLIGHT:
Our Youth Engagement Service (YES) in Bangor and Belfast has provided vital support to 407 young people, offering a safe space, guidance, and opportunities to help them navigate life’s challenges.
Both of our YES projects provide safe and inclusive social spaces where vulnerable young people can access confidential health and well-being services and advice. They can also share experiences, develop friendships and have fun. We work with young people, not for them, moving together towards shared goals. We listen to their opinions and challenge their outlooks. We foster an environment where personal responsibility is seen as a desirable strength and mutual accountability is the norm.
Maintaining a safe space
Our Belfast and Bangor venues provide friendly, comfortable places where vulnerable young people can engage with their peers, make friends and access support when needed. Our YES teams deliver a person-centred approach and every individual is recognised, valued and cared for.
During 2023-2024, over 2,000 young people aged 11-25 years old engaged in social and recreational provision. 49% were male, 51% female. Most of these (77%) were aged 11-15 years old.
Almost one quarter of those who engaged with us in 2023-2024 were aged 16+ years. This demonstrates the essential need to offer young people over the age of 16 a safe space to grow, learn and socialise.
It’s good to talk
Our aim is to encourage young people to engage with us by building trust-based relationships and offering one-to-one support. This usually means a face-to-face chat, but some young people prefer a more informal approach, such as going for a walk, or sitting in a safe outdoor space. Young people who are particularly anxious may opt for a video or telephone call.
This year, most of the young people who approached us wanted help for mental and emotional issues (62%). Others wanted help around their personal health (12%), social welfare (4%) and practical matters (22%).
Our one-to-one support provided over 1,000 sessions to 269 young people aged 11-25
Getting Out and About
Over the year, staff on our YES teams organised a variety of activities and trips that took participants out and about to local venues and attractions. Highlights included a trip to Go-Karting, Air Tastic, Frisbee Golf, Crazy Golf and Pool competitions. Activities such as these help to nurture a sense of belonging within the group. They broaden horizons and boost self-confidence by giving young people new experiences. Ultimately, they create positive, lasting memories.
YES, we’re reaching out
Our Outreach work is designed to reduce barriers for young people accessing the services in Belfast and Bangor. We have good links with local communities and schools and we use these to make YES more accessible for young people. For example, over the year we took part in many Community Events and visited Youth Clubs to meet young people in their own setting. Belfast YES delivered eight school presentations, with 215 young people taking part and benefiting from the experience. The most commonly requested subjects for these are Mental Health Awareness, Drug Education and Transitional Support.
Challenges and concerns
This year saw an increase in young people with refugee status and asylum-seeking status engaging in our social and recreational provision. Despite language and cultural barriers, we successfully delivered YES for these young people.
A concerning trend was the increased number of young people in relationships involving coercive control. We will continue to offer educational work on coercive control alongside healthy relationships, self-worth and self-esteem.
Young people say ‘YES’
Shane, a teenager from East Belfast, felt a complete lack of self-esteem or motivation and struggled constantly with anxiety and depression. He was unable to leave his house and detested meeting people. A referral from his social worker brought Shane into contact with the Belfast YES team and things started to change.
Shane opted for 1-to-1 support via telephone calls.
“The support I got from Extern allowed me to make positive change in my life. Talking to Joe helped me to identify the different issues that were weighing me down. We came up with strategies that have changed my life more than anything I have ever done before.”
“I have improved more in the last few months than I have done in years. I can’t put into words how much Extern has helped – an overwhelming amount of change has occurred since I started.”
What would Shane say to any young person who is struggling to cope?
“I’d tried getting help a few times but Extern really worked for me. It’s worth a try just in case it could help you too.”
Kerry, aged 22, had been trying to deal with family and relationship issues, as well as trauma and mental ill health. She was referred to Bangor YES by her local Mental Health Team.
In the past three years Kerry has received 1-to-1 support and has been signposted to other support mechanisms. She has taken part in youth groups; has done volunteering work; acquired new skills and has gained new insights to drugs, alcohol and relationships.
“Getting help from Extern has enabled me to become more sociable and to see the areas I need to work on. I’ve learned a lot and it has encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone. I’m more confident and I’ve made new friends, and I’ve got trusted people I can talk to when I need to.”
What would Kerry say to anyone thinking about asking Extern for support?
“Go for it. It will help you more than you think. You have to put in what you want to get out, but the staff will make you feel welcome and they provide great, actionable advice for you to improve your life.”
Reference and Administrative Details
Chair
Ian McAvoy (from 23 November 2023)
Aideen D’Arcy (retired 23 November 2023)
Other Trustees
Allen McCartney (retired 23 November 2023)
Lynne McMordie (appointed 1 January 2024)
Noreen Wright
Paul Doran (appointed 1 January 2024)
Shane McLaughlin
Stephen Leach
Company Secretary
Ian McAvoy
Management Team
Colin Hayburn, CEO
Leslie Ann Scott, COO
Deirdre O’Driscoll, Director of Services RoI
Jonathan Carroll, Director of People and Organisational Development
Pauline Flynn, Director of Finance and Corporate Services
Sharon Hearty, Director of Policy and Development
Principal Bankers:
Bank of Ireland
4-8 High Street , Belfast BT1 2BA
Auditors:
Moore NI
Donegall House, 7 Donegall Square North Belfast BT1 5GB
Company Reg No: NI016083
HMRC Charity No.
XN48714
Principal Solicitors:
Worthingtons Solicitors
24-38 Gordon Street, Belfast BT1 2LG
Registered Office
Hydepark House
3 McKinney Road, Newtownabbey BT36 4PE
Charity Commission No. NIC105869
Extern Northern Ireland Trustee’s
Ian McAvoy
Ian lives in Belfast and was educated at MCB and London University. After graduating in economics Ian studied accountancy. After a spell in practice, he became the Finance Director of a leading Irish brand and was promoted to Chief Executive, holding that position for 16 years. He has much expertise in strategic planning, transformation, finance and marketing. Ian was Chair of PlayBoard, Vice Chair of Sport NI, Director of Sport NI, and is presently Vice Chair of Ark Housing. He has a keen interest in rugby and football, initially as a player and now as an administrator, and holds the position of Chairman of Rugby at Queen's University, Belfast. He is married to Lynne with three grown-up children.
Aideen D’Arcy
Having graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast with a BA, Aideen undertook an MSSc in management studies as well as gaining professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Irish Council for Social Housing. A dynamic and highly experienced professional with over 30 years’ experience working in social housing at a senior level throughout Ireland, Aideen initiated a number of award-winning housing projects. She has a proven track record of working collaboratively with commissioners and communities to deliver positive change.
Stephen Leach
Stephen, from North Down, is an experienced professional with a background in the Civil Service, specialising in negotiations such as those leading to the Good Friday Agreement. As Chair of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Board, he spearheaded significant reforms, including the establishment of the Youth Justice Agency and modernised legislation. His extensive experience also includes roles as a Non-Executive Director for the Health and Social Care Board and service as a Parole Commissioner and Northern Ireland Commissioner on the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Shane McLaughlin
Shane is an Education Adviser for the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. He graduated from Queen's University Belfast and achieved his Masters in Education from the University of Nottingham. Shane previously worked in Kabul, where he had oversight of a girls education programme, working with the Afghanistan government to increase girls access and improve learning outcomes for 70,000 girls. Shane has also worked for the UK’s Stabilisation Unit and the British Council working on multilateral policy and managing international education programs with UK and EU funding. Shane is currently supporting education reform and promoting girls' education to increase access to quality education in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Noreen Wright
Noreen, a barrister, joined Northern Ireland Electricity’s (NIE) in-house legal team in September 1976 and remained with NIE/Viridian until 2001. She held a number of senior management posts in the company, including that of Company Secretary and Head of Legal Services. Ms. Wright holds a number of public appointments in Northern Ireland including Member of the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals, Lay Magistrate and Member of the Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal. She is currently a Director of Camerata Ireland and was previously a Director of Springvale Training Ltd and Co-operation Ireland Ltd and a Trustee of Garfield Weston Trust, University of Ulster.
Paul Doran
Paul brings extensive experience to his role, having served in various capacities within the Probation Service in London and Belfast including Probation Officer, Area Manager, Assistant Director, Deputy Chief Probation Officer and Director of Rehabilitation. In 2018 he took up the role of Director of Rehabilitation with the Department of Justice until his retirement in 2022. Academically, he holds qualifications including an Advance Diploma in Management Practice, Masters in Social Work, Diploma in Social Studies, and Bachelor of Social Science. He was joint founder of the Irish Probation Journal, is a registered social worker and is a Fellow of the Probation Institute
Dr Lynne McMordie
Lynne is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy, Housing and Equalities Research at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Her research focuses on housing, homelessness and poverty with a special interest in temporary accommodation. Prior to taking up an academic position, Lynne held senior managerial roles in the homelessness sector in NI, managing a range of services including hostel accommodation, drop-in-centre and street outreach services. Lynne completed her BA(Hons) and MA in English at QUB before obtaining a PhD at Heriot-Watt University in 2021.
Allen McCartney
Allen is by profession a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology with degree qualifications in both electrical engineering and corporate leadership. He has had a distinguished career at Director level in Northern Ireland Electricity and Viridian Group and brings a wealth of experience from previous public sector board appointments in the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, the Department for Regional Development, and the Legal Services Agency Norther Ireland. He is a Lay Magistrate and an Assessor for Norther Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency.
EXTERN NORTHERN IRELAND
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income & Expenditure account) for the Year Ended 31 March, 2024
2023/24
EXTERN NORTHERN IRELAND
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income & Expenditure account) for the Year Ended 31 March, 2024
WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING:
A & O Shearman
All State Foundation
Ards Suicide Awareness Group
British Red Cross
Department of Health Mental Health Fund/ The Community Foundation NI
ESB / Energy for Generations
Hays Travel Foundation
Hospital Saturday Fund
LFT Charitable Trust
Open College Network
Tesco
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
